Client Focus

MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION MARKS 21 YEARS GROWTH AND INNOVATION

Murray & Roberts Cementation is celebrating 21 years of growth and transformation since the merger of Murray & Roberts RUC and The Cementation Company (Africa) in July 2004. Over the past 21 years, the company has evolved into a global leader in contract mining services expanding beyond traditional contracting to a high-tech value-driven provider of mining solutions.

New Business Director, Graham Chamberlain, reflects on the company’s bold direction highlighting its commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies, enhancing safety and continuing to expand its footprint across Africa. Today, Murray & Roberts Cementation operates in Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Ghana, ensuring a robust presence to serve the continent’s growing mining sector.

“As a leader in the contract mining sector and in particular in shaft sinking operations, we have a strong safety record,” Chamberlain says. As an indication of its safety commitment, in December 2024 Murray & Roberts Cementation achieved 8 million fatality free shafts – spanning a dozen years.

Further since 2001, Chamberlain says that the company has sunk 21 shafts—15 of them since 2012—totalling an impressive 15,000 metres of vertical sinking. Additionally, it has completed 72,000 metres of raise drilling, averaging 300 metres per month. 

A key component of this success is the Rotary Vertical Drilling System (RVDS), which has been deployed on 93 projects. This advanced drilling technology achieved 99.95% accuracy on a 950 metre ventilation shaft at Ivanplats’ Platreef project in Limpopo, with only a 500 cm deviation.

Pioneering New Mining Technologies

With the decline in mining sector R&D investment over the past two decades, Murray & Roberts Cementation has proactively partnered with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to test and apply the latest safety and efficiency technologies. A standout collaboration is with Herrenknecht, a global leader in mechanised tunnelling, to develop caisson shaft sinking methods with a roadheader. This approach enables pre-sinking or shallow shaft sinking up to 300 metres deep and 20 metres wide – without human presence in the shaft.

The company is also advancing mechanised tabular reef extraction and blind boring, focusing on rapid deployment and minimising worker exposure. Training methodologies have been modernised through the use of simulation, virtual reality and underground mock-up facilities to enhance skills development at the Murray & Roberts Training Academy at Bentley Park, near Carletonville. 

Training the Next Generation of Miners

“A core element of our success is the company’s commitment and dedication to training, through our world class training academy. This facility plays a crucial role in bridging skills gaps in the mining sector, offering artisanal, supervisory and management training including the courses necessary for the blasting ticket and other government tickets of competency,” Chamberlain says. 

This world class facility also hosts official blasting ticket examinations conducted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).

Delivering Sustainable Mining Solutions

Beyond its technical and operational excellence, Murray & Roberts Cementation remains committed to social initiatives with various education-focused initiatives conducted over the years – from hardware in schools to supporting sanitary pads campaigns in poor communities, so that girls do not miss any schooling. Investments have been made in borehole drilling for groundwater and even a mobile science and mathematics laboratory for schools – made available through the whole Murray & Roberts group.

“As Murray & Roberts Cementation continues to expand its African footprint, we remain dedicated to innovation, safety and skills development. With fully incorporated structures in key mining regions, we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the mining sector and drive sustainable growth in the years to come, Chamberlain concludes. 

Client Focus

WEBA CUSTOM CHUTE SOLUTION TACKLES STICKY ORE CHALLENGE IN CARIBBEAN GOLD MINE

An expanding gold mining operation in the Caribbean recently faced a significant challenge at one of its transfer points, where sticky ore – especially problematic during the hot summer months – was causing blockages and excessive maintenance.

To solve the issue, the mine turned to South Africa-based Weba Chute Systems, renowned for its custom-engineered transfer point solutions. According to Technical Manager Dewald Tintinger, the problematic chute was a large 10 metre or three-storey-high transfer point that received run-of-mine ore from a conveyor. However, the original placement of the head pulley was not conducive to smooth material flow.

“One of the core benefits of Weba Chute Systems is our dead box design, which allows material to form a protective layer on the chute’s internal surfaces,” says Tintinger. “This not only significantly reduces wear but also extends the chute’s service life and lowers total cost of ownership.”

He adds that the dead box design also minimises maintenance, avoiding the frequent liner replacements required with conventional steel-lined chutes, saving time, cost and improving safety.

To effectively channel the sticky ore, Weba Chute Systems engineered a large bifurcated chute. The main chute was designed at a precise angle to allow the bulk of the ore to flow freely through the dead box section, while a smaller chute with liners accommodated a minor portion of the material.

Crucially, implementing this design required relocating the head pulley. “We conducted extensive investigations including sampling and testing the ore to understand its flow characteristics,” Tintinger explains. “By calibrating our discrete element modelling (DEM) software with real test data – including static and dynamic angle of repose – we were able to define the exact positioning of the head pulley for optimal flow.”

Given the height of the transfer point, another key consideration was managing material velocity. “To control the speed and impact of the ore, we included reverse-flow sections within the chute,” he notes. “These strategically interrupt the trajectory, reducing wear and the need for ongoing maintenance.”

Tintinger concludes that the project highlights Weba Chute Systems’ ability to solve even the most demanding materials handling issues through customised engineering. “This installation is another example of how our solutions deliver lasting value, even in complex and remote mining environments.”

Client Focus

CONCOR PARTNERS WITH CAPE TOWN ON ANOTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT

Cape Town’s stock of affordable housing units will be receiving another boost from Concor, following the company being awarded a centrally located land parcel less than a kilometre from the central train station. 

The New Market Street site in Woodstock – currently leased as a parking lot – is one of several land parcels rezoned by the City of Cape Town and made available for the development of much-needed affordable housing. According to Mark Schonrock, Property Development Executive at Concor, the project will deliver at least 375 affordable rental housing units for qualifying residents who earn less than R22,000 a month. There will also be more than 400 residential units made available on the open market.

“Measuring just under a hectare in size, the site is remarkable for its prime location and scenic views,” says Schonrock. “Located right on the edge of the city centre, it is well serviced by multiple public transport systems – making it incredibly convenient to reach workplaces, retail areas and other key amenities for residents.”

The development is in Cape Town’s PT2 Zone, he says, indicating that it provides easy access to the MyCiTi bus transit line – which has a station on the project’s doorstep – as well as the train line, Golden Arrow buses and taxi routes. It is walking distance from the central station, and a similar distance from the Woodstock station. 

Concor won the opportunity to develop the land parcel through its submissions to Request for Proposals (RFP) on an open tender basis issued by the City of Cape Town. This required a conceptual design with extensive input from architects, urban designers and consulting engineers working in partnership with Concor. 

“Our depth of project management and construction experience, combined with our proven capability and Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, positions us well to conceptualise, plan and execute complex projects like these,” he explains.

Concor has been leading the development of the 22 hectare Conradie Park project near Pinelands since 2019, which is on track to deliver over 2,000 affordable living units by the middle of 2026. Schonrock highlights that the New Market Street development will be an exciting contribution to the broader urban upliftment process underway in this part of the city. 

For instance, the areas of Woodstock and Salt River have seen considerable upgrading in recent years and have been targeted for expansions to the University of Cape Town’s academic and residential infrastructure. The City of Cape Town also recently announced plans to redevelop the iconic Good Hope Centre to enhance the area, so this will further improve the environment for the upcoming New Market Street housing project.

“Another outstanding feature of the New Market Street development will be its attractive views,” he says. “The east-west alignment of the property means that Table Mountain will be visible from one side, and the foreshore and Table Bay from the other.”

The mixed-use project will comprise two nine storey blocks up to a height limit of 25 metres. One of the buildings will be designated for affordable rental housing while the second block – accessed from the same central podium – will be for open market sectional title owners. The project will include some small-scale retail opportunities, although its proximity to the city gives residents ample access to the city’s well-developed retail network.

Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, kicking off a build timeline of about 22 months. To achieve this, Schonrock says Concor will continue its close collaboration with the relevant departments in local, provincial and national government as well as its professional partners in the private sector.

“As an established construction and development player in South Africa with a solid reputation in the sector, we are proud to partner again with the City of Cape Town in its forward-thinking land release programme to drive more affordable housing,” he says. 

The City of Cape Town has over 6,500 social housing units at various stages of the planning pipeline, across 50 well-located parcels of land. It is also encouraging national government to make its unused land in the city available for this programme.

Client Focus

AFRISAM UPGRADES RHEEBOK QUARRY WITH SANDVIK CH430 CRUSHER

AfriSam has enhanced its Rheebok Quarry operation with the installation of a high-capacity Sandvik CH430 cone crusher from Sandvik Rock Processing. The upgrade ensures reliable safe production with reduced maintenance and a lower carbon footprint.

Located near Malmesbury in the Western Cape, the granite quarry produces a range of materials, including aggregate stone, crusher sand, roadstone and ballast. According to Desmond Jacobs, AfriSam’s Senior Engineer for the Western Cape, this investment aligns with the company’s long-term capital strategy.

The decision to install the Sandvik CH430 was driven by key features such as its hydraulic Hydroset™ system and Automatic Setting Regulation (ASRi) system, both of which enhance performance and streamline maintenance. The Hydroset™ system enables precise automated closed-side setting adjustments, while the ASRi system continuously monitors and optimises crusher performance.

“We appreciate how the Sandvik CH430 minimises operator intervention allowing real-time adjustments to the closed-side setting,” says Jacobs. “This improves product size consistency and quality. The system also tracks key parameters like temperature and pressure, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing unexpected breakdowns.”

Jacobs notes that the new unit has already demonstrated its impact on product quality by reducing oversized material in the feed stream.

“Our initial assessments showed a dramatic reduction in oversize material being sent for secondary crushing,” he says. “This allows us to optimise throughput and potentially eliminate redundant processing steps in the future.”

A crucial factor in selecting the Sandvik CH430 was its compact footprint which closely matched the previous crusher. “As a brownfields project, we had to work within existing site constraints,” Jacobs explains. “Matching the footprint was essential as we had limited time for installation and could not accommodate extensive structural modifications.”

PC Kruger, Business Line Manager for Crushing Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, highlights the Sandvik Plant Designer platform which helped optimise the model selection process. Additionally, the energy-efficient crusher, powered by a 132 kW motor, aligns well with AfriSam’s specification, contributing to lower energy costs and reduced carbon emissions.

With a local office and warehouse in Cape Town, Sandvik Rock Processing ensures AfriSam receives prompt technical support, spare parts and plant audits whenever required.

Client Focus

AFRICA IS EARLY ADOPTER OF RAIL-RUNNING CONVEYORS FROM FLS

An African mine will be among the first adopters of the innovative Rail-Running Conveyor (RRC) technology, commercialised by full flowsheet provider FLS in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, Australia

“Designed to dramatically reduce energy consumption, improve safety and cut capital and operating expenditure, Rail-Running Conveyors are a gamechanger for mines which must rely on extended conveying distances to move material,” says Martin Lurie, FLS Global Product Line Manager for Rail-Running Conveyors (RRC). Any mine that carries substantial tonnages over more than 500 to 1,000 m can achieve far higher efficiencies using this technology.

“The first full-scale operational system will be commissioned in southern Africa in mid-2025,” he says. “It is designed to carry 5,000mtph of copper ore over a 3,25 km run, and is expected to save approximately $1 million each year in power costs when compared to a conventional trough conveyor.”

A second system, destined for the same mining customer at a mine in the Americas, has also been under construction and will carry around 13,000 mtph, also delivering significant power savings and safety improvements. Lurie describes the customer as visionary in looking ahead to the technologies that will empower the future of mining, and also as an indispensable partner in bringing the RRC to full-scale maturity.  

Lurie highlights that the energy losses incurred by an RRC is anything between one-fifth to one-tenth of those experienced by traditional trough and pipe conveyor systems respectively. “The friction losses on a conventional long distance conveyor,” he points out, “largely determine the power capacity that must be installed, the size of the structures required and the downtime incurred to maintain and replace pulleys and drives. Reducing these energy losses therefore has a positive knock-on effect on the costs of a range of other aspects.”

“Customers achieve savings on the scope of the conveyor equipment itself, the cut-and-fill civils requirements, the volumes of concrete used, the strength of the belt and the number of drive stations necessary,” he says. Due to the lower tension acting on the conveyor belt, a lower rating of belt is possible. Faster speeds and a deeper trough also mean that a narrower belt may suffice for the same throughput. Importantly, the rating of the drives does not need to be as high.

“Where a 6 MW drive may be specified for a conventional conveyor, for instance, this technology may allow a 2 MW drive to be installed,” he says. “This then has further positive impacts on the ratings required for motors, transformers, E-houses and power supply.”

The head and the tail of an RRC remain the same as in traditional systems, he explains, with the rail-running section making up the bulk of the distance. The basic mode of transport is steel-wheel-on-steel-rail instead of a belt running over idlers. This fundamental difference is what cuts energy consumption so drastically. 

The system uses small carriages to carry the belt and these are automatically exchanged at maintenance houses when required. This removes the safety risks associated with personnel changing out idlers out along the length of the conveyor. Having fewer transfer points also has a safety benefit as these can be sources of injury during maintenance as well as health threats from dust exposure.

“The RRC system has been a decade in development, drawing heavily on two established technologies,” he says. “These are underground mining rail technology on the one hand and overland conveyor systems on the other.” 

Lurie explains that the University of Newcastle’s Dr. Craig Wheeler and colleagues obtained patents on the family of designs and FLS has an exclusive license with the University to exploit similar technology that FLS had also been developing. 

The FLS/University of Newcastle team believe that the RRC innovation is a paradigm shift for conveyor systems – not only in terms of energy saving and carbon footprint reduction but also in terms of the distance that a conveyor can travel and the challenging terrain through which it can operate. Thanks largely to the way the belt sits stationary in the cradle, an RRC can negotiate tighter curves and can also climb steeper angles without the material on the belt rolling back and spilling.

“Our straightforward calculations of the potential impact on existing mining operations shows unprecedented savings resulting from this system,” he says. “One study, for instance, investigated the benefits for a customer who has to move material over 15 km between the pit and the plant. Where seven conveyors were currently required we could do the same job with three – while consuming only a quarter of the energy.” 

Lurie adds that the customer’s comparisons to other high efficiency bulk haulage modes available to the mining industry reveal unmatched efficiency ranging from pit to plant, across the plant and onwards for the next 50 or 100 km, if needed.  

Client Focus

J221 OVERLAY EXTENDS LIFE OF WARMAN PUMP SHAFT SLEEVES AT MOGALAKWENA

When Anglo American Platinum’s Mogalakwena mine in South Africa’s Limpopo province wanted to extend the wear life of shaft sleeves in its Warman® pumps, Weir suggested the application of the J221 premium wear-resistant overlay hardened shaft sleeve. 

Testing was conducted on a Warman® MCR® 450 slurry pump at the North Concentrator to improve sleeve and packing wear life under conditions of contaminated or sub-optimal flush water. The J221 shaft sleeve’s trial performance was exceptional, lasting 14 240 hours under conditions of both regular operations and extensive pump sliming. This was an almost 10-fold improvement on the standard shaft sleeve. The solution has led to savings in both downtime and spare parts.

Following the successful results, LeRoux Esterhuyse, Engineering Manager at the Mogalakwena North Concentrator, reported: “Excited about the trial performance of the hardened shaft sleeve; let us roll it over to all primary and secondary mill discharge Warman pumps.” The J221 sleeves have since been implemented across all primary and secondary mill discharge pumps at Mogalakwena. 

As the world’s preeminent open pit platinum mine, Mogalakwena prides itself on its low operating costs and its commitment to initiatives that bolster throughput while curtailing expenses. Platinum ore mined at the various Anglo American Platinum operations is milled at the new Mogalakwena North Concentrator – in operation since 2007 – and the older Mogalakwena South Concentrator. 

The challenge faced was that the primary and secondary mill discharge pumps, a mix of Warman® AH® 20/18 and Warman® MCR® 450 slurry pumps, were being overhauled frequently due to the extreme wear on the C23 shaft sleeves. The pumps had to be stopped monthly to change out the shaft sleeve, with services carried out by the Weir on-site service team. Weir has had a service agreement with Mogalakwena Complex – comprising the Mogalakwena North and South concentrators – for 14 years, with a field service team reporting daily to both sites.

The Weir team determined that the wear life of the C23 shaft sleeve was 3 864 hours under standard operating conditions and only 1 440 hours under conditions of extensive pump sliming. This occurs when there is inadequate gland water pressure in the pump stuffing box, causing slurry to breach the packing between the shaft sleeve and the packing rings. 

When the gland packing is compromised like this, the slurry erodes grooves into a standard shaft sleeve. Once these grooves develop, the packing can no longer form an effective seal on the shaft sleeve. This situation requires the shaft sleeve to be replaced, reducing the equipment’s availability. 

The J221 premium wear-resistant overlay is ideal for highly abrasive and erosive wear environment, due to the high density of the tungsten carbide particles in the matrix. The overlay boasts uniform carbide distribution with low porosity, and hardness levels up to 70 HRC.

Client Focus

FAKE PARTS PUT CRUSHER AND SCREEN OWNERS AND STAFF AT RISK 

Genuine parts for crushers and screens are an essential part of the promise that OEMs make to the market – to keep their customers’ projects profitable and their businesses sustainable. 

On the other side of the coin, however, are the risks that non-genuine, counterfeit or fake parts place on operations, according to Francois Marais, Sales and Marketing Director at local Metso distributor Pilot Crushtec.

“OEMs like Metso spend decades developing and supporting technologies that provide customers with reliable and high performance solutions for crushing and screening,” says Marais. “However, this work is quickly undone when non-OEM parts are installed in our equipment, supposedly to save a few rand in maintenance costs.”

He highlights that the performance and reliability of Metso’s high-tech equipment is based on its proven design and precision engineering – which includes the various components and wear parts that must be replaced from time to time. Copied parts from other sources do not carry this technical heritage, and simply undermine performance and reliability, he says.

It also erodes the value of the relationship that OEMs work so hard to build with their customers, explains Merja Tyyni, Vice President Aftermarket Distribution Management Metso. 

“Our customer relationships focus on the whole process of delivering value to their operations,” says Tyyni. “We pay attention to the end-product value, where we can supply not only the appropriate capital equipment, but also the follow-up trouble-shooting, repairs and overall technical advice.”

The quality of these solutions and services is based on many years of research, development and testing – as well as continuous investment in the necessary technical infrastructure and capability to respond quickly to customer needs. However, all these efforts are compromised when customers place non-OEM parts into their machines – as the quality chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Karima Dargaud, Head of Aftermarket Europe, Middle East, Africa and Central Asia Metso, points out that OEMs have in-depth knowledge of their equipment that allows customers to achieve results which are both optimal and predictable. 

“Our OEM spares are an essential aspect of the support we provide, so that customers can reliably meet their production targets and avoid costly penalties,” says Dargaud. “Customers build their reputations on this consistent performance, by producing the right results safely, on time and within budget. Using non-OEM spares only puts this reputation at risk, as machines then become unreliable.”

Marais also points to the all important safety considerations of not using the specified parts in crushers and screens, emphasising that there are extreme forces and speeds at play – especially in crushing equipment. Metso wear parts have been designed and manufactured with specialised material and hardening techniques, for instance, to ensure both safety and performance.

“Fake parts will compromise worker safety, as there are normally a number of people in close proximity to this equipment who could be affected by a failure,” he says. “A business that buys and fits pirate parts runs the risk of sending a negative message to its operators – that saving money is more important than the safety of crews on site.”

Client Focus

AFRICA FOOTPRINT GROWS AS SEW-EURODRIVE BUILDS ITS TECHNICAL FOUNDATION

Momentum continues to grow behind the ambitious plans of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa to become a leading force in the continent’s industrial gearbox business, drives and automation solutions according to Managing Director Raymond Obermeyer. 

“Building on years of planning and proactive investment, we are successfully rolling out our ‘African Strategy’ plans to get closer to customers all over the continent,” says Obermeyer. “To do this effectively, we are continuing to strengthen our foundation of technical capability and expertise.”

With a firm footprint in many southern African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, the company is extending its reach northwards into the likes of Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania and Morocco. At its 26,000 m2 headquarters in Aeroton near Johannesburg, which the company occupied in 2022, work has already begun on expanding its footprint by building a second adjacent facility. 

“This service centre will further support our expansion of sales, support, engineering and training capabilities,” he says. “We have begun appointing key staff for the facility, and will add another 20 to 30 employees over the course of this year.”

He points out that many local gearbox users face the challenge of inadequate support for products being sold onto the market, and highlights that SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa focuses on being well equipped to service and repair all its products. 

“As one of the few gearbox OEMs in the country with advanced design and engineering infrastructure, we can also make use of our group’s world class facilities in Germany,” he explains. “This even allows us to service and repair the products of other OEMs – and to the same high standard as the original item.”

The new SEW-EURODRIVE service centre facility in Aeroton will house the company’s existing industrial gearbox repairs division as well as an expanded Drive Academy – which trains staff and customers. Other capabilities to be brought in-house include base plate fabrication and sand blasting, and new equipment will include robotic welders, five-axis gear cutting machines and heavy cranage.

SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa is also pursuing its growth plans through finding new markets, a drive which is supported by the group’s wide and expanding range of products and solutions. In 2025, the group has already launched 16 new products, says Obermeyer, as it pushes boundaries in fields such as industrial gears, geared motors, electronics and artificial intelligence. 

“This reflects the innovative approach and the research and development capability that is opening up opportunities in existing and new markets,” he says. “At SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, we understand the importance of keeping up our investments in Africa, positioning ourselves for a leadership position.” 

Construction on the expansions for the new SEW-EURODRIVE service centre began in November 2024 and the facility will be operational by the end of 2025. Obermeyer says that customers can look forward to the facility further raising the service bar for the industry from 2026. 

Client Focus

AFRISAM RAPID HARD CEMENT ACCELERATES CONSTRUCTION WITH UNMATCHED STRENGTH

AfriSam’s Rapid Hard Cement is a product that transformed the construction industry with its unique characteristics and unparalleled benefits. Designed for projects requiring high early strength, AfriSam Rapid Hard Cement is engineered to significantly accelerate product manufacturing timelines.

The locally produced cement boasts superior early strength, making it ideal for projects that demand a quick turnaround especially where fast track precast construction projects are concerned. This cement is favoured for specialist precast products and particularly those requiring quicker demoulding times. 

The fineness of the cement provides a larger surface area to react with water, increasing the rate of hydration which aids higher early-strength development. The rapid hydration rate also makes it ideal for use in cold weather. 

The benefits of AfriSam Rapid Hard Cement extend beyond just speed and strength. Builders and contractors will appreciate the quick removal of formwork, enabling faster progress on site and reducing downtime and labour costs. 

The consistent quality ensures fewer disruptions, allowing project timelines to be met with greater confidence. Furthermore, its strength contributes to the long-term integrity of structures, minimising the need for repairs and maintenance.

AfriSam Rapid Hard Cement is a game-changer in the construction industry, offering a blend of speed and versatility.

Client Focus

INNOVATIVE REMOVAL OF RAISEBORE HEAD HELPS KEEP PLATREEF ON TRACK

At the end of the raiseboring – or reaming – stage for Shaft 2 of Ivanplats’ Platreef project in South Africa’s Limpopo province, an innovative solution was called for to promptly remove the reaming head and avoid costly standing time. 

Fred Durand, Senior Project Manager at Murray & Roberts Cementation, explains that an acceleration of the build plan at Shaft 2 had seen construction underway on the shaft’s headgear in 2024 – before the completion of raiseboring. 

“When a reaming head reaches the surface at the end of a raiseboring process, we normally use a mobile crane from surface to help us dismantle the machine and to load it onto trucks for removal from site,” says Durand. “With the acceleration of the mine’s plan for Shaft 2 readiness, however, the construction of the headgear had been brought forward – so it was no longer feasible to position a crane in that area to remove the raisebore machine.”

“The kibble winder was not installed yet, so we had to engineer our way out of this situation to reduce raisebore standing time costs,” he says. 

The solution began with a visit from one of Murray & Roberts Cementation’s rigging specialists from the company’s Bentley Park training and technical facility near Carletonville. His concept was to make use of a reeve block – or pulley block – system and winch which could be secured with limited steel work at the bank elevation.

“We prepared a proposal which described how reeve blocks could be secured to the sinking sheave wheel floor steel work by means of slings and beam clamps,” Durand continues. “We would then use an eight tonne electrical winch, secured to the bank, to operate the reeve block system.”

After the Murray & Roberts Cementation team were satisfied that the methodology would work, they conducted a rigorous risk assessment and prepared the necessary mitigation measures. The plan was then ready for the client’s consideration – leading to a green light to proceed. Personnel and equipment were soon mobilised, and the necessary medicals and inductions completed in preparation for the reamer coming to surface at the end of its 950 m journey from underground.

“Our solution worked perfectly, allowing us to strip the raisebore machine and hoist it to the bank area – to be placed onto the support bridge and moved out of the shaft headgear,” he says. “A mobile crane then lifted the machine onto the laydown area, ready for removal.”

Durand concludes that Murray & Roberts Cementation’s uncompromising approach to safe working practices ensured that this engineering solution was applied safely and efficiently within the tight timeframe. The company’s core safety values recently earned it the landmark achievement of 8 million fatality free shifts.